Terminal protector



Dec. 27, 1938. P, E. ANDERSON TERMINAL PROTECTOR Filed May 28, 1937 lllllllllllllllz 3 W0 c MM Fe ken E. Alndefison Patented Dec. 27, 1938 UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE 1 Claim.

This invention relates to removable protectors designed for use in placing over the terminals of live wires when they have been disconnected from their contacts, thereby insuring against short circuit, and eliminating the necessity of either disconnecting the wire or cutting off the electric energy passing therethrough.

The primary object of the invention is to provide a device of this character which is constructed of insulating material and designed to fitover a terminal in such a way that it will securely grip the terminal, eliminating the necessity of using auxiliary securing means for holding the protector in position.

16 Another object of the invention is the provision of a protector having yieldable means for gripping the terminal over which the protector is positioned, the yieldable means being vulcanized or molded within the body portion, during the molding of the body portion.

With theforegoing and other objects in view, which will appear as the description proceeds, the invention resides in the combination and arrangement of parts and in the details of construction hereinafter described and claimed, it

being understood that changes in the precise embodiment of the invention herein described, may be made within the scope of what is claimed, without departing from the spirit of the invention.

Referring to the drawing:

Figure 1 is an elevational view of a protector constructed in accordance with the invention.

Figure 2 is an end elevational view thereof dis- 5 closing the mouth of the body portion as closed.

Figure 3 is a sectional view taken on line 3-3 of Figure 1.

Figure 4 is a longitudinal sectional view through. the protector, and illustrating the protector as positioned over a terminal.

Figure 5 is an end elevational view of the protector, showing the mouth or the protector as open to receive the terminal.

Figure 6 is a side elevational view of a modified form of the protector, a portion thereof being broken away to illustrate the spring member, embedded therein.

Reierring to the drawing in detail, the device comprises a bag-like body portion indicated generally by the reference character 6, and as shown,

the body portion is formed with a thickened portion 6, at the mouth thereof. This body portion is constructed preferably of insulating material, such as rubber, and is of a size to accommodate electric wire terminals, of various sizes.

all times.

construction 01' the member 6', all that is neces- The reference character 6 designates an elliptical member of spring steel material, and designed to normally close the mouth of the body portion. It will of course be understood that this member 6 is secured in position, during the 5 molding operation of the body portion, so that the member 6' will be securely held in place at Thus it will be seen that due to the sary to open the mouth of the body portion, is 10 to grip the upper and lower edges of the body portion, directly over the ends of the member 6', squeezing the member 6'.

In the form of the invention as shown by Figure' 6 of the drawing, the body portion which is 15 indicated by the reference character I, is also constructed of insulating material, and is provided with an enlargement 8' at the mouth thereof.

In this form of the invention, a substantially 0 U-shaped spring member 9 is embedded in the body portion, the member 9 extending throughout the entire length of the body portion, the ends thereof terminating within the enlarged portion of the body portion, or at the mouth 25 thereof.

When it is desired to open the mouth of the body portion, in this form of the invention, it is only necessary to press the upper and lower edges of the mouth, whereupon the mouth will spread, 30 to receive the terminal, which in the present showing is indicated by the reference character HI.

When a wire terminal has been disconnected from its contact, it is only necessary to slip the 35 body portion over the terminal, with the result that all danger of the wire being short circuited by its contact with conductive material, is eliminated.

Having thus described the invention, what is 40 claimed is:

A live wire terminal protector comprising an elongated fiat casing constructed of insulating material, said casing having an open end and a closed end, an enlargement formed at the open 45 end of the casing, an elliptical spring member embedded in the enlargement and adapted to normally hold the open end of the casing closed. and said spring member adapted to press the sides of the open end of the casing into engagement with the wire terminal, gripping the wire terminal positioned within the casing to prevent displacement of the casing.

PETER E. ANDERSON. 55 

